How to Get Ahead in Nursing

Who doesn’t think about getting that promotion? We all want to be our own boss someday, but before we can rule the hive, we have to tough it out as a lowly worker bee. These days, moving up is less like climbing a ladder and more like picking your way through a maze. There are many ways you can move your nursing career forward, but any one of them could be a dead end. Avoid game over with these eight ways to get ahead at the hospital.

Just try not to step on too many toes.

Ready for a Career in Nursing?

Long hours. Late nights. Changing lives. Making a difference. Sound like something you'd like? A career in nursing is full of ups and downs. Think you are ready? Find out with this quiz.

Keep Learning

What do high-powered executives often have in common? A higher degree or certification. Look into PhD and/or nursing certification programs in your field that give you a leg up. Not only will you be educating yourself, you’ll be learning from seasoned professionals and interacting with others in your field. If going back to nursing school isn’t your thing, consider taking certificate classes and attending conferences that increase your awareness of health care industry trends. Getting yourself seriously educated sends a strong message that you are invested in what you do and that you have a genuine interest in staying on top of your game. You don’t have to stick to industry-specific classes either! Consider learning a new language or taking up a musical instrument. By diversifying yourself, you are staying ahead of the competition and widening your range of skills.

Find a Mentor

What better way to move up at the hospital than to turn to an experienced nurse who’s been through it all? Mentors have not only been in your shoes, they also know a little something about the business you’re in. A mentor is like an anchor, grounding you when you are lost. They offer career advice, listen to patient complaints, or just lend an ear in a moment of crisis. The right mentor can drastically change your career path for the better.

Get Visible

How can you get promoted if nobody knows who you are? It’s not just about showing up every day and doing your rounds. Smart nurses go beyond their job descriptions. Speak up and get noticed! Make sure you contribute valuable ideas and are confident in your work. After all, if you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else?

Ask for More Work

Taking on more responsibility shows that you are taking an active interest in the hospital and outgrowing your current position. It also makes your boss look good and eases the workload off of somebody else. Making others happy brings you one step closer to making yourself happy! One thing to note: When you ask for more work, you’d better be able to handle it. There’s nothing worse than not completing your charts on time or backing out because you didn’t realize how difficult a patient would be.